Review: The Panacea: The Billywood Chronicles #1 by Caroline Jones

 The Billywood Chronicles: The Panacea by Caroline Jones is the first in a vividly imagined adventure series for upper middle-grade readers.

Follow Jack's journey to a parallel world on a quest to repair the Panacea and save both Orbis and consequently his own planet, Earth.

The Panacea has all the right elements for a best-selling middle grade fantasy.

The Chosen One ✅

Eccentric Grandfather ✅

Absent parents ✅

outlier, introvert hero ✅

Elusive nemesis ✅

It's not until Jack falls through the fault into the world of Orbis that he discovers that he is the one destined to save this parallel world from the Death, a destructive force destroying everything in its path.

With vividly imagined and highly detailed scenes the story played out in my mind as I read.

Fantastical creatures and monsters galore will keep readers engaged and turning the pages.

I liked that twelve-year-old Jack's growth was organic. He was scared and cried often but came through with courage and determination when needed, learning to believe in himself along the way.

The Panacea: Billy Wood Chronicles #1 is sure to have middle-grade readers enthralled as the suspense ramps up and danger is around every corner. Jack battles monsters to the death and the mystery of the Panacea is revealed.

This was a fast-paced story with cliffhanger chapter endings making the book hard to put down.

The story isn't all battles and danger. There is plenty of humour throughout, some at poor Jack's expense, giving some lightness to the plot.

There was a shaving scene which I thought very unlikely on the cusp of thirteen and it also didn't lend anything to the plot.

I was wondering how the series would continue. It seemed well wrapped up.... then that fabulous cliffhanger ending. Fans will be eager for book two.

And for all those dragon lovers.... there's dragons!!

My rating 4 / 5 👾👾👾👾

Recommended age: 10 - 14 years

Content: A chicken monster's head is decapitated - off page.

              battles against monsters to the death

Publisher: Hawkeye Publishing

Publication date: 17th May 2026

Series: The Billywood Chronicles #1

Genre: Middle Grade / Tween 

Pages: 266

RRP: AU$28.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#thebillywoodchronicles #thepanacea #carolinejonesauthor #middlegradefantasy #tweenfiction 

Review: If I Were Prime Minister by Trygve Skaug

If I Were Prime Minister was originally published in Norwegian and translated into English by Rosie Hedger.

If I Were Prime Minister is simply a fun read. It's not trying to teach children about how a country is run. It is more about what makes you happy and how you think you could make your country a happier, more fun place to live in, through a child's perspective.

illustrated by Ella Okstad

translated by Rosie Hedger

Publisher: Lantana ( sold through Simon & Schuster)

Publication date: 26th May 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 40

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour

I loved this book because, just for a few minutes children can forget climate change, wars, anxiety, gender and all the social issues surrounding them today and escape to a place that is fun and a bit silly.

Christmas lights all year round, trampolines lining the streets, free ice cream, extra screen time for kids, everyone would have a pool, bicycles and dogs for all. My adult brain is spinning!!

If I Were Prime Minister  also opens the opportunity with older children to discuss serious issues that heads of countries must deal with and the important question of who is paying for all this.

However, I took my adulting hat off and read this for the pure joy.

Ella Okstad's gorgeous cartoon style black and white illustrations with pops of colour in muted tones paired with illustrations of the little boy with crayons in hand and the inky style thumb prints on the pages give the impression that the young narrator fashioned the book himself.

Even though we don't have squirrels in Australia I loved all the little squirrels popping up throughout the pages.

If I Were Prime Minister is a great addition to the family bookshelf. Read it for the pure joy your children will get from the child fueled indulgence.

Start a conversation with your little ones; "What would you do if you were Prime Minister for a day?"

My rating 4 / 5 🛉🛉🛉🛉

Recommended age: 3 - 5 years

#ifiwereprimeminister #trygveskaugauthor #ellaokstadillustrator #bookontouraustralia #ausbookbloggers

Review: Bella Grows a Bicycle by Lellie Lopter

 Bella Grows a Bicycle is an uplifting and positive story about turning your dreams into reality.

With the cost of living continually on the rise Bella Grows a Bicycle opens up positive conversations on recycling, upcycling, sustainability and how, through resourcefulness and some hard work, big dreams can become reality.

illustrated by Chiara Franceschetti

Publisher: Five Mile Press

Publication date: 1st June 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author via Books on Tour PR

Bella wants a bicycle, but it's not her birthday. I really like that Bella is not simply bought a brand new bike. Her dad suggests she grows one and gives her a tiny seed. 

We don't see instant gratification here either. Bella plants the seed and waters it. She waits and watches it grow, showing the reader that gratification takes patience. When the seed grows into a radish Bella is disappointed. However, with a guiding hand her father shows her how with hard work and upcycling and swapping with her friends that tiny radish can turn into a bicycle. 

The resulting bicycle isn't new or fancy but Bella cleans it up and is so excited.

The story explains, in a fun way, how one person's old items can be another person's treasure.

I love how the radish doesn't suddenly manifest into a bicycle. It moves slowly and realistically through each small item no longer wanted by its owner to the next item swapped. Bella doesn't simply pass them on, she spends her own time cleaning, upcycling and making each item more appealing before swapping it.

In this throw-away consumer-driven world it is refreshing to come across a children's book that champions upcycling, sustainability and pre-loved items as Bella starts a swap economy in her community.

Bella Grows a Bicycle Inspires children to reuse and recycle instead of discarding used and outgrown items.

Delightful cartoon style illustrations in watercolour and pencil by Chiara Franceschetti are alive with little details. The birds on the fences, Bella's cat who follows her everywhere and the delight on the children's faces as they swap their items all give the story that extra level of appeal. From full page spreads to small vignettes, the story comes alive with heart-warming scenes.

All big dreams start small and grow through hard work and determination.

I am sure Bella Grows a Bicycle will be a cherished addition to our bookshelf and will be read over and over as my grandchildren grow.

My rating 5 / 5 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲

Recommended age: 4+ years

#bellagrowsabicycle #lellielopterauthor #chiarafranceschettiillustrator #chidrenspicturebook #childrensbooksonsustainability #upcycling 

Review: Spot the Dot by Kris Herbert

Spot the Dot written and illustrated by Kris Herbert is a fabulously fun rhyming picture book.

Spot the dot has lost his spot! Can you help find where he belongs? 

Publisher: EK Books

Publication date: 9th June 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: AU$27.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour PR

I love the way Kris Herbert has used Spot as the dot's name. It is a fabulous play on words. You could also add a question mark after the title (can you) Spot the Dot? Read the book again and see how many dots you can spot. There are dots everywhere. Which dot is Spot's spot?

Spot has lost his place in the world. Where can he have come from? The story goes through some fun places that Spot may have come from; a full stop, a dot from a mushroom, a donut, a bowling ball. Lots of things have dots but Spot didn't fit any of them. There are lots of little places where Spot may belong throughout the book.

Spot didn't give up. he just needed to look around a bit more. He tried a dice, a spotted frog. He didn't give up until he found the perfect place.

Spot the Dot is a delightful picture book about finding your place in the world. It may take a little trial and error to find where you fit in. But, by simply being yourself you will find the place that is just right for you.

Spot the Dot is the perfect story for that quiet bedtime routine. A rhyming story that flows along with a fun tempo. Herbert uses playfulness with her text with perceived movement and changes in size and shape to make the story come alive.

Spot the Dot raises conversations such as where do you belong and where is your favourite spot?

We had a little fun matching our names with words that rhyme, just like Spot.

Veronica the harmonica

Dot the spot (that was an easy one)

Jay the stingray

Ace the shoelace

Flos the albatross

My rating 5/ 5 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#spotthedot #krisherbert #childrenspicturebook #kidsbooksonbelonging #findingyourplace #funrhymingbooks

Review: Our Family Zoo by Maura Pierlot

Our Family Zoo by Maura Pierlot is a delightful picture book that combines fun and imagination. What child doesn't love going to the zoo! Imagine a whole zoo of animals in your own home! 

illustrated by A. Yi

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication date: 1st June 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$19.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour PR

Our Family Zoo is narrated by a young boy whose home is filled with animals, however he feels there is always room for one more. The story goes through all the animals they already have which include indoor animals plus the rescue animals kept outside. A delightful array of animals that will have children spotting the pets they have and also the ones they would like to add to their family.

Trying to convince his mother for just ONE MORE pet he goes through an ever wilder assortment of animals; a zebra, a baboon, a koala, a sloth.

Finally his mum tells him there will be an addition to their family. More animal guesses are made then mum tells him he will be a big brother soon. This is the best news of all. There is nothing that he wanted more.

Our Family Zoo is the cutest story and I loved the boy's enthusiasm about becoming a big brother. Gorgeous big illustrations by A. Yi showcasing all the different animals his mum cares for all over the house and the Australian wildlife rescue animals in the yard, with the addition of all the animals he imagined he would like, making this the perfect story for all little animal lovers. The story is a veritable visual delight.

Easy rhyming verse with bold text highlights to add drama. The verse is fun. The illustrations are fun. Our Family Zoo is a pure joy to read as our little narrator's  enthusiasm leaps from the page.

Our Family Zoo would make the perfect bedtime story for animal loving children and any child who has a new sibling on the way.

My rating 5 / 5 🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

#ourfamilyzoo #maurapierlot #childrenspicturebook #newsibling #childrensbooksaboutanimals #newpets 

Review: Margo the Magpie's Wish by Terri Walls

Margo the Magpie's Wish is a gentle children's story book about knowing how special we are when we simply are ourselves.

 illustrated by Miranda Scherger

Publisher: Terri Walls Books

Publication date: 1st November 2025

Genre: Children's Picture Book 

Pages: 24

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

Margo wished she was as colourful as a lorikeet or could laugh like a kookaburra.

Her father tells her she is unique and to just be herself and she will see how special and perfect she is. Margo then has positive thoughts and thinks how glossy and black her feathers are and how she sings a beautiful song to bring in the dawn.

Margo the Magpie's Wish delivers a subtle message about self acceptance and finding and rejoicing in your own unique talents.

Exquisite, life-like illustrations of Australian birdlife and flowers by Miranda Scherger will have children entranced. The full colour double page spreads are a visual delight.

The story is catchy and easy to read with its bouncy, lyrical text and would make a tender bedtime story.

Margo the Magpie's Wish is a wonderful addition to any home or classroom library as it opens conversations on what makes you special and celebrates being unique.

The end pages include a fun game to find and count the bees hiding throughout the book.

My rating 5 / 5🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

The book can be purchased here: https://www.terriwallsauthor.com/

#margothemagpieswish #childrenspicturebook #australianauthor #australianwildlife #childrensbooksonselfacceptance #ausbookbloggers

Review: Flynn of the Bin by Josh Fordham

Everyone is different; we all have a tale. 

Flynn of the Bin is a magical story that will put a smile on your face. It is happy and upbeat.

illustrated by M Isnaeni & Delly Yusyar

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 17th March 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 25

RRP: AU$18.28 Paperback (current price on AmazonAu)

Source: Courtesy of the author

Flynn is just an ordinary boy like you or me ..........but he lives in a bin.

He is teased by his peers for living in a bin. Flynn doesn't mind because they don't know what's inside. He invites them all to come closer and have a look.

Josh Fordham has written a super fun and imaginative story based on the old saying "don't judge a book, or in this case bin, by its cover."

With a whirl of colour and sounds the children taunting Flynn are transported inside the bin, and what they find is an enviable world of delights.

Magical realism comes to life in Flynn of the Bin. Ask any child what they would like to do for fun and it's sure to be there in Flynn's bin.

Full colour double page spreads, with cartoon style illustrations, by Isnaeni and Yusyar bring the stinky bins and unimaginable fun to life on the page.

The large text is child friendly and easy to read and the rhyme flows well when read aloud.

Fordham champions curiosity and knowing the facts before judging someone or something. Flynn of the Bin tells the reader to take the time to look closer at something, you never know what you might find.

What would you like to find in a magical bin that takes you to another world? 

Jay wanted some technical gaming thing that I didn't even understand. 😂

My rating 5 / 5 🗑🗑🗑🗑🗑

Recommended age: 3 - 7 years

#flynnofthebin #childrenspicturebook #magicalrealismforkids #ausbookbloggers #aussieauthor #kidsbooks